Trade season is starting to heat up in the NBA and it won’t likely be long until the Detroit Pistons are involved.
We’ve talked about some of the ways the Pistons might use their cap space, and the consensus has been that they will probably take on a salary dump for a pick or two, which wouldn’t be exciting for fans hoping this team can make a run at the playoffs this season.
But so far, the type of big-salary trade that would require the Pistons’ cap space has not materialized and may not, as the Heat have stated publicly that they aren’t trading Jimmy Butler, though we have heard that song before.
Most recently, the Nets traded Dorian Finney-Smith to the Lakers in a four-player deal that didn’t even cost the Lakers a single first-round pick, which has been a theme so far in this early trade season.
It could be a buyer's market for the Detroit Pistons
The biggest surprise about the Dennis Schroder and DFS trades was that the Nets were not able to get a single first-round pick out of it, which probably doesn’t bode well for teams hoping to stockpile draft picks by trading veterans, including the Pistons.
It’s hard to see Detroit, for example, being able to pry a first rounder out of anyone for Malik Beasley if they wanted to move him before the deadline.
The Nets may find the same when they try to trade Cameron Johnson, as there may not be a team out there willing to offer what they are asking, which is reportedly multiple first-round picks.
This could make teams turn to plan B, which might include a guy like Tim Hardaway Jr. or it could cause the Pistons to change strategy.
Given this is shaping up to be a buyer’s market, Detroit might be able to get some help with expiring deals and second-round picks if they choose to do so.
Will Chicago be able to get a first-round pick for Vucevic? It’s looking unlikely, so he could be a guy the Pistons target with Tim Hardaway Jr’s expiring contract, cap space and a couple of second rounders.
Players like Jonas Valanciunas, Malcolm Brogdon, Kelly Olynyk, John Collins, Bruce Brown or Jordan Clarkson are veterans who the Pistons might be able to snag for little.
If the big salary dump/draft compensation offer isn’t out there, the Pistons may choose to pivot into a buyer’s market where they can get an impact player without giving up much or taking on long-term money.
This is going to be an interesting deadline for the Pistons, who have to balance future assets against the chance of making the playoffs this season.